Tuesday, April 06, 2010

Tonight (Tuesday April 6, 2010) I will be speaking at the following location at 7:30 pm

Asterisk134 W26th St #603NY, NY 10001

This is an animation company. I just found out that anyone who wants to can attend. I had thought it was an "invitation only" type deal. So if you're in NY and want to attend, please stop by.

Also, the first DIMENTIA 13 album is now available for downloading. Everything you need to know to get it is at this link right here. Or you can just look it up on iTunes and get it from them. You can download a PDF file all about the album at this link.

The Brooklyn retreat was great. Not a big attendance, that's for sure. There's a tremendous difference between how many people will come hear a talk about Zen and how many will actually do Zazen. But those who attended had the energy and sincerity to make up for it. It was one of the best retreats I've ever led.

I'm here in the Big Apple, NYC, for a few more days. Then it's on to Baltimore and Richmond, VA. Everything you need to know about those gigs is at this link right here. So check it out and show up!

Brad says: As for institutions, I think they kill Zen. Or they can. Which is why Dogen Sangha is such a loose organization (or disorganization) without any of the hallmarks of a religious institution. And I plan on keeping it that way.

Brad says: As for institutions, I think they kill Zen. Or they can. Which is why Dogen Sangha is such a loose organization (or disorganization) without any of the hallmarks of a religious institution. And I plan on keeping it that way.

As an institution, marriage is more like the formalization of a sexual arrangement. In ancient times, marriage was a way of identifying one's mate and, by evoking one of the many gods, telling everyone else in the tribe or community about the exclusivity of the wife. The etymology of the word 'wife' will let you know that that once meant 'main stain.' It wasn't until quite recently that marriage included the fidelity of the husband. In short, a wife had no claim on the fidelity of her husband.

In modern times, marriage is a legal way of sharing financial responsibility (either spouse is 100% libel for all debts incurred during the marriage sans legal separation). Assets, a.k.a. Community property (if any) varies from state-to-state.

There is a lot of legal heavy lifting in a marriage. However, most people, in a fit of passion, do not consider seeking the advice of a barrister pre hoc. Therefore, many end up in hoc.

The sex pistols were disorganized. But someone took the responsibility to organize them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQkActP-isE

Sam Peckinpah was disorganized and he understood how to create with it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJMxGFco57Y

a hallmark is a mark indicating quality or perhaps excellence.

As for Religion well .....I'm not sure. To me Zen is Zen. I guess that is why I'm asking. Maybe I should be asking how do institutions kill Zen?Or Can you give an example here of a Zen institution here in the west that lead to corruption. Excluding the S.F. Center.

The Buddha (on PBS Wed. @ 8 pm)"Two and a half millennia ago, a new religion was born in northern India, generated from the ideas of a single man, the Buddha. He was a mysterious Indian sage who famously gained enlightenment while he sat under a big, shapely fig tree. The Buddha never claimed to be God or his emissary on earth. He said only that he was a human being who, in a world of unavoidable pain and suffering, had found a kind of serenity that others could find too. Award-winning filmmaker David Grubin tells the story of the Buddha's life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. This documentary draws upon the work of some of the world's greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia have depicted the Buddha's life in art rich in beauty and complexity. His biography is also tracked geographically across the sweeping landscapes of northern India. The testimony of contemporary Buddhists -- including Pulitzer prize-winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama -- provides insight into the ancient narrative. To tell his story is to understand his teaching. And to understand his teaching is to gain new insight into what it is to be human."

My guess is that sometimes Brad believes what he thinks, sometimes he doubts it, and sometimes his thoughts just pass. That's what I believe happens to my thoughts...I think. Mind you, I wonder exactly what 'believing' and 'thinking' are and what the distinction between them might be?

Sound like lazy practice to me. Sloth.

I see. Never mind, eh :)

Self deprecation also involves a big ego.

I'm not at all sure what an ego is. But for the sake of argument (only) I'll grant we have/manifest one/it, in which case having an ego cannot be a bad thing; I think we should learn to love our ego. But by 'big' you do seem to imply 'bad', as in proud, confident, maybe arrogant...perhaps you mean that self-deprecation assumes one thinks a lot of oneself and, disingenuously, tries to deny it. Quite likely. Sometimes. What can you do? There again, it might simply be the honest recognition of insecurity.

...I don't quite see Brad's reluctance to make DSI an 'institution' as an example of self-deprecation. But you never know.

is a Sangha the same as an institution? Is a Monastary the same as an institution?

I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at, and others have commented...but I suppose you're implying that Sanghas and monestaries are fine things and could be called institutions, so what's wrong with institutions?

The point, I think - I've not read what the experts say - is that groups of people larger than...I don't know...3? have a tendency to develop and display relationships of power and hierarchy that invariably become codified in some way (I think that's what Brad means by an 'institution'). In a zen context that might mean - usually does mean: teacher/senior students/intermediant students/novices, perhaps visibly defined by kesa colour/sitting place in the zendo/title; levels of achievement...you know, rank - like almost any organisation, or 'institution'. These things are fine, even neccesary things for some, but that's not what Brad wants DSI to be. He wants DSI to be a coalition of "men of no rank", perhaps. He feels that approach is closer to the spirit of zen/buddhism as he understands and wishes to practise it...I suggest.

"People in my circles often think of Brad Warner as a Buddhist radical. Actually beyond his being a bit in your face, and willing to talk about sex and rock and roll (and the occasional monster movie), he's a remarkably conservative advocate of the "shikantaza only" Soto reform movement established by Kodo Sawaki Roshi.

You want radical, attempting to go to the root no matter the cost, check out Stephen Batchelor."

Valid point?

'Sectarian' is generally a bad word now, but maybe to avoid the simple and obvious argument we should remember that one may be an adherent to a sect (aren't we all... a sect of one or a sect of thousands?) without neccesarily being a close-minded idiot.

The videos there of Bachelor talking are excellent. Among other things he questions why Westerners should get involved in Buddhist schools in such a strong, sectarian way; and he relates how he felt the need to move from his Tibetan studies into Zen practice.

And you won't hear from the likes of Stephen Batchelor, a former monk (in the Tibetan and Zen traditions), and the author of the controversial Buddhism Without Beliefs. In his new book, Confession of a Buddhist Atheist, Batchelor asks pointed yet sincere questions about the hold of doctrine and dogma on Buddhist practice—and makes his own use of the Buddha's life story to call for a "secular Buddhism."

http://www.slate.com/id/2249958/

Monastic institutions and missions became vehicles for the spread of literacy and culture throughout the ancient world and held an important place in promoting charitable causes, building libraries, hospitals, schools, and universities.We see this in the Mauryan, where Emperor Ashoka builds rest houses for weary travelers, free hospitals for both people and animals, and wells and helped monasteries become institutions of learning such as Nalanda University and Vikramshila.During the Tang Dynasty the monasteries fostered artistic creativity, cared for the sick, old, and orphaned, and ran community development projects such as developing roads and building bridges and wells.Even today, in Southeast Asia, many monasteries serve as free accommodations, retirement homes, and homes for the homeless or chronically ill. Poor families frequently use monasteries as hostels. They serve as village libraries and centers of news and information, and the surplus money is used to make schools....as Buddhism spread literate culture into many societies in the process of political unification and organization, it is not surprising that the sangha came to wield political influence, or even political power, in a number of countries.—Peter Harvey, An Introduction to Buddhism

That's simple, anon. Dictionaries give us definitions of words. They have their limitations, but they are often very useful. In this case, the dictionary definitions served as a useful starting point for me to comment further.

But your problem isn't with the dictionary, or with its definition of "sectarian" (with which I doubt you disagree) - is it?

So, if my efforts failed to futher the debate for you, perhaps you could clarify - beyond "huh?" - what your query is.

As for Harry’s at 6:11 am – can anybody contribute as for whether a ‘"shikantaza only" Soto reform movement established by Kodo Sawaki Roshi’ actually existed?

I wanted to note under things Brad said earlier that in “the Production of Sutras” in ‘the Zen Teaching of “Homeless” Kodo’ (- that’s the name in which the book has been translated into English, seems somewhat different than the Japanese original name) Uchiyama Roshi has it just right.

I do like that master. (Uchiyama Roshi)

I did not suspect that there is anything in either the lineages of Sawaki Roshi or Nishijima Roshi (Nishijima is from Renpo Niwa) that does not follow the line of Dogen.

Nishijima seem to have backed off some such claims from Jundo, which I have come across during the great Jundo ball.

- When in Israel he quite a few times repeated: “I follow Master Dogen blindly”.

In general the attitude seems to me just to follow that of Dogen, - “Bendowa” certainly wasn’t written by Sawaki Roshi.

The Antaiji site says Sawaki Roshi was the Zen master who brought the degenerated Zen of the 20th century back to its roots..."

Kodo Sawaki felt that Zen/Buddhism, as Dogen understood and taught it, had ceased to be understood, practiced or taught in Japanese Soto temples.

So it could fairly be said that Sawaki was a reformer who emphasised shikantaza, as taught by Dogen. His approach has caught on, particularly in the West. And so it also be fairly said that his teaching led to a 'reform movement'.

Couldn't it?

I did not suspect that there is anything in either the lineages of Sawaki Roshi or Nishijima Roshi (Nishijima is from Renpo Niwa) that does not follow the line of Dogen.

Kodo, it seems, would disagree.

Gudo received his hossu from Renpo Niwa, sure, but he clearly considers himself a student of Sawaki. Has he ever quoted or referred to Renpo's teaching?

Do you have a problem with any of this, Ran? Is it that you find it difficult to accept that there have been periods in the history of one lineage of Buddhism when what's been taught and practiced has varied, or departed from the original teaching? Or that 'transmission' might occur in ways other than the Shiho ceremony?

I feel that Dogen Sangha should not be an institution of any kind. It should be a loose affiliation of like-minded people. Like an association of artists.

Maybe it could be like an association of painters who had the same art professor. These painters would not have to share the same style. Nor would they need to compare notes and align their techniques with each other. In fact, it would make them lesser artists if they did. They wouldn't even necessarily have to even like each other or each other's work.

But they could acknowledge their common roots by being part of the association and benefit from the existence of that association. They could do gallery openings as a group or something.

It's not a perfect analogy. But it's a far better analogy than thinking of Dogen Sangha as a not very good (lazy) version of the Catholic church or the Soto-shu.

1) Authority - there is some approachable authority (e.g. an archbishop). A CULT usually has an unapproachable authority.

2) Belief - Religions have beliefs - thinks that followers are really not allowed to THINK about. The arch-typical example is the Nicene Creed. There are/were many creeds and many religions. Must scholars settle for the most recent 2,500 or so. Beyond 2,500, the reference library gets somewhat unwieldy (even on CDs).

3) Ritual (of liturgy) - ritual is found in the Shamanistic Religions of the bush as well as in the ornate religions with men in dresses.

Australian Ice Age Rock Art May Depict Earth's Oldest Recordings of Shamanistic Rituals.

Exorcism: the rite of driving out the Devil and his demons from possessed persons. here

Shinto priests sometimes perform exorcism and purification rituals for new cars by opening up the doors, the hood and the trunk, saying some words and shaking haraigushi—pom-poms made from branch of a sacred sakaki tree with white linen or paper steamers attached—as a symbol of purification. When asked why he uses the pom poms, one priest told National Geographic, "Demons don't like paper's hissing noise." Similar rituals are held for at building sites and new buildings. Some Shinto shrines will even purify credit cards and telephone cards for ¥1,000.source

BTW, these comments (following that Gudoblog post I linked above) might be useful to those interested in the Transmission of the Dharma from master to student, and/or for those conducting research into (what they might like to call) DSI sectarian factionalism.

Brad, I think your connection of artists idea is interesting but would you take it into a much broader context, say, than Dogen sangha, or does that blow the whole notion? I mean my thing is not to affiliate with a group or religion or sangha or IDEA as such or label AT ALL. But here I am, it would seem. Can you be free of identification with a group?

I am much more interested in meaningful, playful exchange than some dogmatic bullshit. I don't need any more of that, but expressing yourself artistically, so to speak, yeah, I can dig it, in a very loose, let your thing be whatever you think it is kind of way.

When my teacher of 20 years died, all concept of relationship with him dissolved. And I am better for it.

I agree with anon. When you put a group of people together there will be conflict. Putting a title to group like Institution is just a lot of projecting. I do it all day long. It takes me a while sometimes just to do the dishes.

Harry - "Sounds good to me. Let's give it a test drive and stay open minded on it."

Where have you been you dumb-fuck? This organization has been going strong for years. Leave your pretensions at home. Oh...we need your approval, Harry? Nobody gives a shit about your opinions. Go to Jumbo Colon's blog.

Yeah Harry, what Anon said.. That sweet #1 was all ours until you popped in. And then you go around being all open minded and shit.. Rubbing our faces in it with your reasonable talk.. We can see through that! You would have pushed your own Granny aside to get that top spot.

Harry: Buddhist Brothers like us should share a glass of tea, and sit Zazen together once in a long while ... and especially if there have been problems between us like one of us always grabbing that sweet #1 spot. We should not miss an opportunity to discuss that. We might decide to democratically share that coveted spot. Buddhists should not be hard-hearted like you are, and should let all hard feelings float away, away like a enormous helium filled balloon. Like spilt milk under a bridge.. Um, Those are just viewpoints you see, they are totally empty.. As you know there is often more than one viewpoint. But if you really pay close attention, you will see that only one of them is usually correct. Here is a hint.. It wouldn't ever be Rob's.

Harry, I have appeared here because this situation needs to be spoken out about publicly. I am sorry if people get upset, but "Number One" should really be just a bodily function and not a goal of practice. I still do not understand how you manage to get it so often, although we are all guilty of wanting it too much too often as human beings.

Do not press this any more, because I think you are starting to play "chicken" with me on getting that #1 spot without revealing who these people are who were involved in letting you get to it. Don't play games.

If anyone has any questions on any matter, please feel free to email Harry privately at any time. Some folks will attempt to redirect and misdirect attention away from any expression of criticism and dissent by saying "the fellow just is angry he did not get the #1 spot". Goddammit, It's not that!

I barely get it at all. Look no further than your own dubious Zen Master, Wad Browner, who writes about getting it so often that he had to give up his real job.

I would like everyone to know that, just to prove this point and clear things up, I have gone to the American Embassy and instructed them to carry out a token airstrike on the Browner Ashram HQ. This will be just a minor moral exercise, and nobody will probably be hurt much at all really.

I have been pulling weeds that are taller than I am for two weeks and I still have fifteen feet left to go to see if the tea room survived the winter rains. It looks like the roof is still in good shape.

I just wanted to jump in here a minute and let you know that you are in violation of:

"Aware of the suffering caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, I am committed to cultivating loving speech and deep listening in order to bring joy and happiness to others and relieve others of their suffering. Knowing that words can create happiness or suffering, I am determined to speak truthfully, with words that inspireself-confidence, joy, and hope. I will not spread news that I do not know to be certain and will not criticize or condemn things of which I am not sure. I will refrain from uttering words that can cause division or discord, or that can cause the family or the community to break. I am determined to make all efforts to reconcile and resolve all conflicts, however small."